There is no rhyme or reason for the catalog publishing schedule, so undoubtedly that decision was made randomly or dictated by price changes. As new tools were developed and manufactured, "bulletins" were issued as an insert to the current catalog. In the later years, separate price lists containing an "effective date" were issued, which applied to the current catalog.
A very early catalog, that was undated and unnumbered, contained information on a stick-on tab explaining that the mechanics tools in the catalog were no longer available at the prices and catalog numbers listed. It also described how future catalogs would be directed at specific industries. From the previously known catalogs, it is apparent that this particular catalog was published about 1925, and is the earliest presently known.